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Application Tips

We're excited that you've chosen to apply to Chapman University. We can't wait to read your application! If your goal is to have a great application, look below to see a preview of our Chapman University Questions in the Common App and a quick explanation of what we're looking for in each. Note that these aren't all the questions we ask in our application.

You may have additional questions based on your major choice and based on whether or not you're a first-year or transfer student. You'll have to start filling out your application to see all of the questions we'll be asking you!

How have you learned about Chapman University?

We'd like to know more about how you've interacted with Chapman. This helps our counselors figure out your familiarity with campus and where our staff and faculty might have interacted with you before applying.

Please explain your interest in the major(s) you selected. (200 words or fewer)

Telling us about your interest in your potential major lets us know more about why you feel the major might be a good fit for your skills as a student and about your familiarity with your potential program. Developed answers show us that you have an understanding of what you want to study and how it might relate to your career pursuits after college. If you’re applying as an Undeclared student that’s fine! Research our programs first, then tell us why you’re undecided.

We also now offer the option to choose one of two short answer questions to answer. Though their themes are similar, we hope you’ll find the one that speaks to you. They are…

The ‘I Am Chapman’ campaign on our campus was created to foster an appreciation and awareness of diversity, inclusion, equity and social justice for all. We celebrate our students’ individuality in all of its forms including their personal experiences, culture, religious beliefs, opinions, ancestry, race, ethnicity, interests, ability, geographic backgrounds and family traditions. Given the diverse experiences and perspectives of our community members, the admission committee would like to know what makes you ‘Chapman?' (200 words or fewer)

This is an open-ended question with no “right” answers. Don’t overthink it! Think about the ‘I Am Chapman’ campaign, what it entails, and how you identify or connect with this aspect of campus.

The Chapman Diversity Project is a campus-wide initiative with eight different Advisory Groups. These groups identify, recommend, and support creative strategies for promoting and enhancing our campus community. They also respond to any issues, needs, and concerns identified on our campus. Suggest an Advisory group or select one of the existing groups below and share how you would contribute to the advancement of our campus community. (200 words or fewer)

Just like theother short-answer question in the “choose one of two” section, think about how this initiative applies to you. Again, there’s no “right” answer here. Think about how you would invest yourself in our campus community.

There are thousands of universities and colleges. Please share with us why you are choosing to apply to Chapman. (200 words or fewer)

We're looking for specifics here! What separates Chapman from the other institutions you're considering? What special programs, activities and aspects of campus are most attractive and compelling to you? We're well aware that our campus is in a fantastic location and is aesthetically pleasing (we hear about Disneyland and how beautiful our campus is frequently). Dig a little deeper to show us you know why Chapman could be a great fit for you!

Fast Facts

Fast Facts are a way for us to get to know you better and on a personal level. We want to see who you are as a student and as a person! Feel free to be creative, but remember what we're asking. Just because they're ‘fast’ doesn't mean you shouldn't put some thought into your answers. We actually spent a lot of time debating the merits of each one and voting on our favorites. Seriously. Here's a list of our Fast Facts questions: